Standing ovations before even a single ball was played. Great emotions before the match, and in the end, goosebumps and even a few tears. Everything revolved around Timo BOLL and his last regular-season home match at the ARAG CenterCourt (ACC). In between, the Bundesliga match between Borussia Düsseldorf and TTF LIEBHERR Ochsenhausen almost became secondary—almost, perhaps also because the record champions lost this top match 2-3, yet still had reason to celebrate.
It was his big night: Timo BOLL was able to fully enjoy his farewell performance for Borussia. His entrance alone was already a victory lap through the entire hall. Step by step, he absorbed the atmosphere and cherished the loud and heartfelt gratitude from the audience for 18 unforgettable years at Staufenplatz.
Right after 1,100 fans in the sold-out ACC sang him a birthday song for his 44th birthday, BOLL had to step right up to the table.
And once again, he delivered brilliant table tennis, showing exactly what everyone loves about him. Seventeen-year-old Tiago ABIODUN was unimpressed by the legend standing across from him. He challenged the former world number one, leading to a match filled with exciting, long rallies. But BOLL still has his incredible touch, never giving up on a single point, and played with well-thought-out tactics. He fired up the crowd and put his club ahead 1-0.
Just like against Werder Bremen, Kay STUMPER once again delivered great table tennis. Facing Simon GAUZY, he dominated the first set, leaving the Frenchman no chance. But GAUZY, with his experience and class, turned the game around. He took the next two sets, but STUMPER fought back to force a decisive fifth set. It was closely contested, and perhaps only a bit of luck was missing, but Ochsenhausen managed to equalize.
With Dang QIU (Borussia Düsseldorf) and Hugo CALDERANO (Ochsenhausen) already on their way to China for the next WTT Champions event, Anton KÄLLBERG took the stage next. Facing Leonardo IIZUKA, he played solidly, but the match couldn’t quite match the intensity of the previous games. The Swede controlled the match and won comfortably 3-0.
The fans got one last chance to see Timo BOLL in action. In the climactic match, he faced Simon GAUZY and the Frenchman’s powerful backhand. BOLL immediately felt the intensity, scoring just one point in the first set. The second set was more balanced, but still went to GAUZY. In the third set, Boll took a 5-0 lead but couldn’t hold on, allowing Ochsenhausen to level the score at 2-2.
For the second time in four days, an ARAG CenterCourt match came down to a deciding doubles match. Borussia Düsseldorf sent Anton KÄLLBERG and Borgar HAUG to the table. The two Scandinavians have been unbeaten this season as a duo, but IIZUKA and ABIODUN, despite their youth, are a well-established pair, having finished third at the last Youth World Championships.
They started strong, preventing the Borussia duo from getting into the match. But in the second set, Källberg and Haug turned things around, leveling the score. However, it wasn’t enough. Ochsenhausen took the final set and claimed the victory in Düsseldorf.
In the standings, both Borussia Düsseldorf and Ochsenhausen now have 30:10 points, but Düsseldorf remains in first place thanks to a better game ratio.
However, the fans in the hall had little concern for the standings. They were only interested in celebrating their hero. The “Timo, Timo” chants didn’t stop—especially after he took the microphone from manager Andreas PREUß and shared heartfelt words with his fans and supporters:
“No matter where I played in the world, I was always welcomed with open arms and received so much support, respect, and appreciation from you fans. It has been a great honor to be your table tennis entertainer. I will miss all of this so much. Thank you for these unforgettable moments that I was able to experience thanks to you.”
Danny HEISTER, Head Coach of Borussia Düsseldorf
“It’s a shame that we lost today. We always want to win, but on this evening, I especially wanted Timo to have a victory. However, we are safely in the playoffs, so I don’t want to overanalyze the defeat. You can lose to Ochsenhausen. GAUZY was strong, winning two key points, which you always have to factor in. Unfortunately, our doubles weren’t as sharp as they have been recently.”
Borussia Düsseldorf – TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen
- Timo BOLL – Tiago ABIODUN 3:1 (10:12, 11:4, 11:8, 11:5)
- Kay STUMPER – Simon GAUZY 2:3 (11:6, 3:11, 4:11, 11:9, 9:11)
- Anton KÄLLBERG – Leonardo IIZUKA 3:0 (11:3, 13:11, 11:5)
- Timo BOLL – Simon GAUZY 0:3 (1:11, 8:11, 9:11)
- Anton KÄLLBERG/Borgar HAUG – Tiago ABIODUN/Leonardo IIZUKA 1:3 (3:11, 11:4, 9:11, 11:13)
